Pacific Ocean!

I can smell the salt in the air from our campsite at Sunset Beach State Park near Coos Bay, Oregon. Nice, protected alcove with huge rocks at mouth where waves crash over them and tall, sheer cliffs surrounding it, Classic Oregon Beach setting. Popular beach on weekend for families and dogs when temps were in the low 70’s and sunny. Kites flying, frisbees sailing, water cold so no one swimming.

Farther in park is a wildlife overlook that is good spot to see the seals, sea lions, and sometimes elephant seals (the ones with the big noses) laying on a sandy beach at the base of the huge rocks off shore. There are so many of them and they are quite vocal, you hear them as you get out of car. And of course all the sea birds. We saw bald eagle and condors flying around.

We so enjoy the coastline so we called an audible on our itinerary and decided to cancel our few days in Portland to stay on US 101 up the coast. More breathtaking views and a new to us sign on the highway: Tsunami Evacuation Route. Also, signs showing the way to hills or stairs up to higher ground.*

At a place called Otter Rock (didn’t see any otters, just rock) there were several surfers in wet suits braving(?) the cold water for a few rides. Daytime highs only low 60’s and no sun to warm them. Good place for a small local chain of shops called Mo’s Seafood and Chowder. The chowder was great, we got several more to put in freezer for the future.

*I am writing this 2 weeks past our time in Oregon, we are now in Washington at the mouth of the Pugent Sound. The other day a loud alarm sounded over the park and a public announcement stated this was a test of the tsunami warning system. There is a path up the side of a large cliff from our beachside campground up to higher ground in the park. Hope we never need it.